THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

[bitemark]

IL MATTINO

Il Mattino is an Italian cafe sidled between a bookstore and a jewelry boutique in small but popular business district, just a downhill walk from the local non-denominational Christian church and residential area. The ocean is less than a ten minute drive away and within view in the distance. The area is cool even when the sun is at its apex at noon with a tinge of sea salt in the breeze.

The cafe itself is medium-sized with plenty of light let in with the large storefront windows. The decor is simple, but accented with key decor with wheat centerpieces and plants. There are some trinkets that are displayed that may look out of place, like atop the charging counter there's a sliding puzzle painted in pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and all shades in between.

The cafe specializes in coffee and brunch, though pastries are sourced from local Italian bakeries in downtown Little Italy.

While the establishment has two floors, the cafe takes up the ground floor. There is a yard for some reason, but that's because there are four dogs. They're kept separate from the cafe to make sure patrons are not disturbed, but people are free to go outside to pet them. Reviews have mentioned the owner lives on the second floor and the dogs' names are Harold, Olive, Vera, and Rocco.

DRINKS ✦ FOOD ✦ all sorts of pastries available

Comments

[chrysanths]

[ I imagine going car shopping with Adolphe would actually be incredibly exhausting and insufferable............. He'd constantly look at the car information and always compare and think too much on its value. ]

No, but maybe I'll learn which animals I like more as I go.

[ He looks at the pamphlet. ]

... There are a lot of animals listed here that I've never even heard of before.

[obdure]

[ this sounds like a perfect trip for jacopo who is also neurotic and insufferable... they can fight over cars while narrowing down choices and jacopo would enjoy it because in the end they'd put a lot of thought into the car they agree on or something

But it isn't about that. It's about the zoo. ]

So this is kind of like a soul-searching visit.

[ He had never considered having a favorite animal since like. He was a child.

But he also gets that going to a zoo is a fun thing to do on a beautiful day. He might just be teasing. ]

[chrysanths]

Uh-huh. Might be one for you too.

[ He says this even though Jacopo owns and loves four dogs. Anyway, they go to the closest exhibit, which are birds in huge cages. ]

[obdure]

[ Adolphe also loves those four dogs. ]

So we're both finding ourselves at the zoo today.

[ Hilarious. It would be more hilarious if I make Jacopo regain his memories from something incredibly stupid like seeing a baby animal trying to walk.

The immersive bird cage they go, where there are all types of birds in here that simply coexist. They are beautiful and the space is large enough to fly like they're free. ]

When's the last time you visited?

[chrysanths]

[ If it's funny, you should do it. ]

I've never been to a zoo before.

[ He looks up at all the birds that fly around and sees a little feeding machine off to the side that offers baby fist-sized capsules of bird feed. Adolphe rolls one out and holds it out so that the birds can eat. Three birds fly to him, resting on his hands, pecking at the bird feed.

Another one roosts in Jacopo's hair. ]

[obdure]

[ help not like this ]

Hey—I don't have food.

[ Gently, he nudges the one roosted on his head off and it flutters to Adolphe, perching on his arm like the rest.

Unfortunately, more little birds come to nest on his head and shoulders as they wait for their turn. Jacopo simmers.... Then goes to the feeding station to get a little cup of sugar water.

And puts it in Adolphe's other hand. More birds for you now. Jacopo's birds transfer over since there's more arm to perch. ]

[chrysanths]

[ All these birds flock to Adolphe and he... doesn't know how to feel about this. They eat bird feed from his gloved hand and peck into the little cup full of sugar water. Adolphe holds his arms out, since the birds are crowding his wrists and hands too much. But not he's stuck in this position where he has his arms out... ]

...

[ He tries to shake them off. Gently. ]

[obdure]

[ Before he says or does anything else, he takes a photo of Adolphe. ]

There's a nursery on this floor if you want to go see some chicks.

[ I have expanded this bird sanctuary dome... It is also a crater where you can take a spiral path down to see more birds and nature, with the bottom being a pond area for some semi-aquatic birds. ]

[chrysanths]

[ You are free to shape the zoo as you will!! Adolphe gives Jacopo a flat look as if to ask him why did he take a picture. Cease. None of that comes out verbally though. ]

Sure... Come on. Off.

[ Adolphe shakes his arms a little more and most birds fly away. Bye. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo smiles sweetly at him in response to the flat look. He won't know what you're saying (he does know) unless you say it (you don't need to say it). None of that comes out verbally, too.

Some of the birds scatter, with one or two still hanging on, wings flared like they're dancing with Adolphe. Jacopo will gently nudge them, which makes them hop onto his hand. ]

Maybe you can get a job as a scarecrow.

[ He flicks his hand, but the birds take flight without issue. To the nursery? They might catch eggs hatching in the incubators or a zookeeper feeding some babies using a fake glove that looks like their parent. ]

[chrysanths]

The birds weren't scared of me.

[ That's not the point!!

Adolphe follows to the nursery and sees a zookeeper caring for the little baby chicks. Aw. They're cute.

Then there's this one. ]

... it fell over.

[obdure]

You'd be decorative, unless you want me to say you'd make a great bird feeder.

[ Adolphe was very good at staying still and being quiet, so...

But the chicks. They are cute and Jacopo quietly watches them, but then that one tumbles over and he can't help but laugh. ]

It's a little clumsy.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe thinks it would be a disservice for him to be a decorative anything, but he looks at Jacopo laughs at the tumbling chick. ]

It screamed with all its might...

[ Then fell. Sounds about right. Silly babies. That exact chick squints at Jacopo like "punk what you lookin at" ]

[obdure]

[ He's focused more on the chick, so he doesn't look over to Adolphe. The chick really is funny... It is trying to walk over to them, but then it SCREECHES toward Jacopo in defiance and tumbles back down which has him chuckle again. ]

I'm pretty sure the screaming is what's making it fall over.

[ WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, LITTLE CHICK. Jacopo shouldn't be looking content and smug about this. There is fondness, though. It is a baby. ]

[chrysanths]

Its small body can't handle the wrath inside the shriek.

[ Or something like that. ]

It looks like it has something against you for some reason.

[obdure]

Big lungs. That's good.

[ Healthy! ]

I wonder why... I haven't done anything to it?

[chrysanths]

Yeah... wonder why.

[ The chick is so angry that it's funny. Adolphe looks over at the other chicks. ]

It's the only rebellious one too.

[obdure]

[ It is thrashing about!! Jacopo starts worrying that it'll hurt itself, so he's going to step back and stand behind Adolphe.

It stops....... ]

More like it has anger management issues.

[chrysanths]

You're going to assign a little baby chick anger management issues?

[ Adolphe can't help but to laugh when Jacopo stands behind him. ]

Sounds like it has a lot to look forward to in its life...

[obdure]

Assign? I'm not assigning anything. I'm speaking the truth.

[ Jacopo peeks over Adolphe's shoulder to see the chick and the chick sees him...

It starts vibrating violently, ready to scream, and Jacopo quietly goes "no, no, no. We can't have that." He steps completely away from view of the incubator. ]

You think you can work your magic and calm it down?

[ The keeper mentions the babies like soft singing. ]

[chrysanths]

What magic--no, I'm not going to sing...

[ Adolphe looks at them like. What... No... ]

[obdure]

What's with that look on your face?

[ Help, he tries not to laugh, but it's so obvious in the way his eyes crinkle... The keeper does reassure Adolphe that he doesn't need to do anything. No pressure. ]

You do have a type of magic.

[chrysanths]

I don't have magic.

[ He looks so incredulous, feeling like he's getting bullied... Adolphe nods once at the keeper to acknowledge them. ]

Stop trying to goad me.

[obdure]

I'm not goading you.

[ They can move on and start the spiraling path along the crater down. There are so many plants... So much green. It's a garden in here especially with the butterflies and different birds scattered around.

There are other people here, too. Children includes. It's a wonder for all ages. ]

I'm being serious as someone on the receiving end of it.

[ As serious as joke magic can be, of course. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe huffs, looking off to the side, but then a butterfly decides to rest on his nose and Adolphe is not very fond of bugs being all up in his face, especially with a menacing pattern.

So he just freezes.

He will not hurt this butterfly. He will keep his hands to himself. He must. He must. ]